Belleoram Explained

Official Name:Belleoram
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Newfoundland
Pushpin Label Position:left
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Steward May
Area Land Km2:2.11
Population As Of:2021
Population Note:the 1921 Census recorded 698 persons in 140 households
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:348
Population Density Km2:177.3
Utc Offset:-3:30
Utc Offset Dst:-2:30
Coordinates:47.5228°N -55.4108°W

Belleoram is a village on the shores of Fortune Bay in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The community sits on a narrow strip of land hemmed in between the bay and steep hills that rise behind it. Belleoram has a large harbour and shelter from the sea, with the protection of a natural breakwater.

History

Belleoram, a fishing community, had a fish plant which closed in 1989.[2] Aquaculture and fish farming are important economic drivers.[3] [4]

Belleoram dates back to 1774. The French used the area and called it "Bande de Laurier." By 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht had forced the French to leave. In 1718, Captain Tavenor sailed around the south of Newfoundland and called it "Belorme's Place." In the 17th century, a French adventurer wintered there for 20 years, and he was the first to name the community Belleoram.

A Dorchester man named Parsons, is said to be the first English settler in Belleoram, followed by another Dorchester man named John Cluett. Other people came from the west of England as servants to the early planters.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Belleoram had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of . With a land area of 2.2km2, it had a population density of in 2021.[5]

Attractions

The Anglican Church in Belleoram, locally known as the "Cathedral of the South Coast" was built in 1891 and consecrated as St. Lawrence Church in 1901. The Church is representative of Gothic architecture, a style of architecture developed in Western Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries.

Visitors can see the John Cluett Heritage House which was built about 1844 and is best described as a "saltbox," one of the simplest forms of architecture and common amongst early settlers. The Cluett House, which is over 150 years old, is constructed mainly of original timber.[6] Also, they can attend the Ironskull Folk Festival, which is an annual event held the third weekend of July every year. The festival showcases the area's musical talent and is a collaboration among many Newfoundland artists.[7] [8] The Ironskull Festival takes its name from the mountain located across the harbour. A trail provides visitors with the opportunity to hike to the summit and view the surrounding coastline.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Census Profile, 2016 Census Belleoram, Town [Census subdivision], Newfoundland and Labrador ]. 8 February 2017 . Statistics Canada . October 22, 2019.
  2. News: Fish farm raises hopes for Belleoram . May 31, 2006 . CBC News. October 22, 2019.
  3. News: May key member of community . September 29, 2017 . Clayton . Hunt . Saltwire Network . The Central Voice. October 22, 2019.
  4. Web site: Aquaculture in the Coast of Bays region, Newfoundland and Labrador. 2016-07-06. Oct 17, 2020. Fisheries And Oceans Canada .
  5. Web site: Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Newfoundland and Labrador . . February 9, 2022 . March 15, 2022.
  6. Web site: Cluett House (Belleoram) . Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage . October 22, 2019.
  7. News: Newfoundland and Labrador government announces Cultural Events Fund recipients . July 23, 2018 . Saltwire Network . The Southern Gazette . October 22, 2019.
  8. News: Three big events in Coast of Bays in July . September 29, 2017 . Saltwire Network . The Telegram. October 22, 2019.